A Body That Creates
“As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:20
When I look at the church and the body I belong to in Grayslake, IL, I am so thankful. We are blessed with many kind, hardworking, compassionate brothers and sisters who know the Bible and love Jesus. Then, when I step back and ponder the big “C” worldwide Church, I am left in awe. There’s a whole lot of us all around the world, joined together by Christ to form one body, working to serve one another (and the world at large) in love.
And each part of this body- each individual one of us- according to Genesis 1:26, was made in the image of God.
God is the OG creator. We were made to reflect His characteristics. We were created to be creative- to learn, explore, question, ponder, and make new things!
“We were created to be creative- to learn, explore, question, ponder, and make new things!”
Psalm 96:1 says “sing unto the LORD a new song.” The worship team at my church does just this- one of our members wrote her own song, and it’s been sung during service a few times now! The last time, we broke out in applause!
Our talented group of musicians and sound and tech operators is one of the many things I love about our church. Their gifts of time and talent are essential to not only our Sunday services, but also to VBS, our preschool, and more.
However- what if a member of this great big, heart-filled talented body is a painter or sculptor or dancer? What if someone’s “song” doesn’t involve a voice or an instrument? Or is music “enough,” and we don’t really need much else?
Should there be a place in worship for non-musical talent?
I’ve got enough personal experience and biblical evidence to say, “of course there should!”
“Look for people around you who would be willing to collaborate and share their talents, and see what God will do through it! ”
Here’s some of the reasons why I feel that way:
Exodus 36:2 says that Moses summoned “every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work [on the sanctuary, where they would worship].”
These people are described a chapter before as: “…engravers, designers, embroiderers … and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.”
King David could play and write music, and he also danced before God. When it came time to build the temple, his wise son Solomon hired Huram, who was himself “a skilled craftsman in bronze… filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work.” 1 Kings 7: 14.
All these people, like our musicians and worship leaders, are creative and skilled members of the body, giving their time and talents to worship Jesus.
Now, a few instances from my own personal experience. I’ve been an artist and painter for as long as I can remember. My pastor knows this, so during Lent of 2022, he shared his Wednesday message outlines with me as part of a creative, collaborative idea. The goal was to create an Easter-themed painting around his message points- live, during worship, in front of everyone, week by week- and it was an amazing way to connect, share, and open the hearts and minds of our brothers and sisters.
I don’t need to go far for my next example. My wife danced for several years in different professional tap dance companies in Chicago. When the time came to turn the page on that chapter of life, she reached out to our worship team leaders, took her tap shoes, portable flooring, her talent for rhythm, and added some “foot-percussion” to the songs on the setlist. Her time spent dancing with live jazz and rock musicians (her company was on stage in Lollapalooza!) gave her the means to fit in nicely with the rest of the team. And it resulted in glory to God- people in our congregation were lifted up watching her dance, and they told her as much each time.
So why should this matter to you, my fellow artist, musician, pastor, creative person, leader?
Two reasons- One, it benefits your church and the creative people in it, and Two, it shows the rest of the world a better picture of the God we worship.
Our brothers and sisters want to serve in meaningful ways. I’ve lived it and seen it happen over and over again- when the right gifts meet the right opportunities, great things happen. Look for people around you who would be willing to collaborate and share their talents, and see what God will do through it!
Finally, the rest of the world is watching us, for better and worse. Let’s show them we’re not deaf to what others are saying and doing with their skills. Worship needn’t come across as far off, disconnected, old-fashioned, or like some sort of after-school-special. It should be authentic, but also relevant, and it takes deliberate, prayerful effort to get it there. If you’re interested in more on that topic, I encourage you to read “Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts” by Steve Turner.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes, from Henry van Dyke, a clergyman and US ambassador from the 18- and 1900s:
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”